Wamp Dismayed
March 12, 2007

Congressman Zach Wamp on Monday expressed dismay that a national Islamic group known to publicly support organizations that commit terrorist acts is scheduled to hold a meeting in the United States Capitol.

Rep. Wamp, the Ranking Member on the Legislative Subcommittee of Appropriations which funds the Capitol and the legislative branch of government, asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to prevent The Council on American-Islamic Relations from meeting in the nation's Capitol on Tuesday.

Here is the text of the letter.

Dear Speaker Pelosi:

I read with great concern an article in this morning's Washington Times, "Cair OK'd to meet in Capitol" which reported, at the request of Representative Bill Pascrell, The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has been granted a meeting in H-137 of the Capitol. Madam Speaker, if this report is accurate, it is totally unacceptable.

CAIR's reported ties to and support for terrorist organizations, like Hamas, has come into question in the past. In a Senate hearing of the Judiciary Committee in 2003, Senator Chuck Schumer (NY) stated "we know [CAIR] has ties to terrorism." At a time when our nation is fighting Islamic Jihadists around the world we must do all we can to uphold the principles of freedom and democracy for which this institution stands. The people have entrusted us to act in their interest and by rewarding an organization with questionable connections we would be betraying that trust.

Madam Speaker, I call on your leadership to move this meeting out of the United States Capitol.

Warmest Regards,

Zach Wamp